NBA Summer League Diaries: takeaways, surprises and unanswered questions

As many questions as answers, as many confirmations as surprises – and no guarantee that any of them will hold up. As always, the line between summer excitement and the ability to truly make an impact in the NBA is difficult to define.

A great performance under the lights of Las Vegas doesn’t guarantee a career or even a contract, just as one bad night doesn’t erase a prospect’s talent.

Without further ado, here are more summer basketball takeaways (you can find the previous editions here) and thoughts on the teams beginning to take shape for the new season.

Have the Pistons found the missing piece?

The Pistons are one of the most intriguing teams to watch in this Summer League because they’re coming off a season that completely changed the perception of the franchise. Detroit is no longer the young, inexperienced team wandering through the league searching for an identity. Cade Cunningham’s group has started to develop structure, a credible and connected defensive system, and alongside a major mental shift, it leaves us with one question: do they already have everything they need to compete at a high level?

Probably not. But they’re building in the right direction.

Ebuka Okorie and a work-first mentality

In that context, a player like Ebuka Okorie becomes particularly intriguing. In a previous analysis, I described him as a “driving guard,” highlighting his impressive offensive tools. During this Summer League, he’s proving to be the type of player built to energize a crowd: an undersized 19-year-old with endless energy on both ends of the floor and an almost Darwinian ability to adapt.

His lone season at Stanford ended with averages of 23.2 points, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Those numbers have translated into 17 points, 5 assists and an eye-popping 4.5 steals per game this summer. Yes, you read that right. Those 4.5 steals are largely thanks to his 7 steal performance against Cleveland, where he once again showcased his ability to read the floor and make an impact away from the ball.

While he isn’t yet the solution to Detroit’s biggest weakness – the search for a secondary creator alongside Cunningham – he could become one down the road, especially playing next to a backcourt partner like Cade, who can handle the toughest defensive assignments. Teams like Denver and Boston have shown that championships aren’t won with star power alone, but with players who excel in their specific roles, and Okorie could become one of those pieces.

Minnesota searching for another point guard

After acquiring LaMelo Ball, the Timberwolves pushed all their chips to the center of the table in an effort to complete a championship-caliber roster. If they expect the former Hornets guard to ease Anthony Edwards’ offensive burden, they’ll also need reliable depth and playmaking off the bench.

Several players are competing for that role – from rookie Isaiah Evans to Terrence Shannon Jr. and Bones Hyland – but Summer League has delivered an unexpected surprise.

Has Zyon Pullin finally arrived?

Now entering his third NBA season but with only eight career appearances and limited minutes, Zyon Pullin has exploded over these first two Summer League games. He opened with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 50 percent from the field against Denver, then followed it up with another 24-point performance, adding nine rebounds and 12 assists against New Orleans. He narrowly missed a triple-double while also recording one steal and two blocks.

After two disappointing seasons, Pullin is finally showing encouraging signs, and with Donte DiVincenzo sidelined by injury, an opportunity could be right around the corner. A poised, fundamentally sound point guard, he finished his final college season in 2024 averaging nearly five assists against only 1.3 turnovers per game while shooting 44.9 percent from three-point range, albeit on limited volume.

The biggest question is whether he can maintain that efficiency against bigger, more athletic defenders and NBA-level defensive rotations. The league has a way of exposing players without obvious physical advantages, so Pullin will need to prove he can compensate with basketball IQ and skill. His fit with Minnesota’s second unit is intriguing, but it remains to be seen whether these performances are sustainable or simply a hot streak.

Philadelphia: from LeBron to Labaron

In Philadelphia, all eyes are understandably on the possibility of landing LeBron James. Adding a player of his caliber to a lineup featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid would instantly create one of the toughest teams in the NBA.

But while everyone’s focused on King James and the present, Summer League suggests the Sixers’ future looks bright as well.

The ball is in Philon’s hands

The young point guard has been one of Philadelphia’s most exciting players, showcasing his offensive creativity. Soft, quick hands, the ability to finish with either hand and excellent control of pace and tempo make him extremely difficult for opposing defenses to contain.

He looks like the type of player you could watch for hours, already armed with an impressive package of moves to create separation and attack the rim. His college averages of 22 points and five assists while shooting 50 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from three were no accident, and they’ve translated into 21 points and 6.5 assists per game in this Summer League while maintaining the same efficiency from beyond the arc.

The talent is obvious, as is the time he still needs to develop. While he must improve his balance and shooting mechanics on the move, the biggest concerns revolve around his athleticism and frame. At 6-foot-4, a finisher who isn’t especially explosive could struggle against the NBA’s bigger, more physical defenses early in his career. But in the end, why choose between LeBron and Labaron when you could have both?

The next Nuggets product

Over the past few years, Denver has established a clear organizational philosophy: develop intelligent players who understand the game and fit seamlessly alongside Nikola Jokic.

After Spencer Jones, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther, another candidate may already be knocking on the door.

Bryce Hopkins, ready for his opportunity

Bryce Hopkins is a powerful forward who loves bullying smaller defenders, pairing physicality with strong rebounding instincts that allow him to control the paint. His Summer League has drawn attention for one particular reason: a surprising leap in shooting efficiency.

Against Houston, he finished with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting, using his strength to attack the rim while displaying impressive body control. He seals defenders, cuts into open space, exploits mismatches and rarely forces the action, all while projecting as a strong team defender and the type of gritty role player every contender needs alongside its stars.

His passing instincts and ability to read the game – especially for someone with his physical profile – make him a fascinating addition, despite legitimate concerns about his jump shot on the move, which remains very much a work in progress. Multiple injuries, particularly his ACL tear in 2024, caused many scouts to hesitate, even though he looked fully healthy last season. That was enough for him to slide to the 49th overall pick, and perhaps the Nuggets have identified another hidden gem.

Oklahoma City and the in-house solution

The Thunder are one of the hardest Summer League teams to evaluate because they already have so many young talents. The challenge isn’t identifying prospects – it’s figuring out which ones can carve out meaningful roles on such a deep roster.

And while the front office searched for an answer to the Victor Wembanyama problem in the Draft, that solution might already be in Oklahoma City.

Could Sorber be more important than Aday Mara?

One of the most intriguing position battles involves the frontcourt: Aday Mara versus Thomas Sorber. While Sorber has yet to make his professional debut, Mara’s first Summer League appearances have been underwhelming overall despite a couple of encouraging performances.

Mara has always been an intriguing prospect on paper. His combination of size, skill, vision and passing ability makes him a fascinating blend of old-school and modern basketball. A nearly 7-foot-3 center who can facilitate offense and coexist with teammates is appealing in any NBA system and team.

Still, Summer League raised expectations for more consistency than just a few good games mixed with uneven performances. Sorber, meanwhile, hasn’t yet stepped on the floor for the Thunder, but after spending a year around the organization, he may possess something that often matters even more: readiness.

His profile isn’t as flashy or physically overwhelming, but he’s coming off a college season averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2 blocks per game. For a team like Oklahoma City – which already has creators and shooters and values mobile, active defenders – giving up a few inches in size in exchange for greater mobility and defensive versatility could prove to be the smarter choice.

The question isn’t who’s more talented. It’s who can help sooner. And for a team chasing an NBA championship, the answer isn’t nearly as obvious as it may seem.

The beauty of Summer League

The beauty of Summer League lies in its ambiguity. It’s not NBA basketball, but it’s also much more than just a summer tournament. It’s almost like a laboratory where careers begin to take shape and franchises search for hidden signs of what’s to come.

Because in the end, Summer League doesn’t tell you who you are. It tells you who you could become.